SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS MY PERSONAL MUSIC AND MEMORY TRAIL. PICTURES TELL STORIES BUT I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO YOU TUBE VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS OR IMAGES. THEY HAVE BEEN UPLOADED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES SO INFORM ME IF COPYRIGHTED AND THEY WILL BE DELETED. ANDY LIM (NOVEMBER, 2008).

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Memories: Home: By Ms CYLin

This National Day posting has been contributed by Ms CYLin. Thank you, Lin, once again for another nostalgic piece about our Little Red Dot.

Fifty two years of nationhood. That is middle-age by human standard. Yet looking around me, the physical environment is forever rejuvenating with lots of 'nip and tucks', 'fillers', 'make overs'. Unlike the human race, she is not allowed to age gracefully. And as with ageing, memories fade.

My family of six used to rent a room in a huge atap roof bungalow in Paterson Hill. The kids of different races in that area came together in a big field for physical workouts -- climb trees; kick chaptek; fly kites; strike marbles; hop scotch; played police and thieves. What is now at No.1 Paterson Hill?

My classmates and I would go to the National Library at Fort Canning/Penang Road. We not only read or borrow books but also to extend the half day at school to enjoy one another's company. I try to visualise the exact location of the building. I see an underpass that allows vehicular traffic from Stamford Road to 'smoothly' flow through to Penang Road.

The National Theatre with its natural air-conditioning at River Valley Road was where local and foreign acts were staged. The Singapore Girl Guides Association put up a concert in 1973 to raise funds to send some youth members to attend overseas events.

It was in 1965 that my brother and some friends used this venue to raise funds to help a former classmate who broke his spine in a diving accident and became an invalid. Today, all I see as a reminder of this beautiful building is a laughable structure of its facade nailed on a field at the junction of River Valley Road and Tank Road.

My present home of 44 years is in a public housing estate of some interesting design and labelled a heritage site. Does this mean that I can remain here till my last breath? Or as with many not only public but private property, it will have to give way to progress in a uniquely small spot. I understand the constraint of size and accept grudgingly that most times things are done for the good of the majority.

I often feel and say that I'm of the lucky generation. My migrant parents slogged to give me an education that saw me take up a profession that grants me fulfilment. Today I'm enjoying my retirement years in ways that they were not able to. I have good health. I use public transport to go to all parts of the island and reminisce... I have reasonable wealth to live comfortably by no one else's but my own standard. I feel safe and secure in the knowledge that my family, friends, and neighbours in the vicinity are there for me in my hours of need as I am for them.

It's natural to yearn for the good old times. With age, memories become less sharp and comparison between the past and present are less distinct. This national day as with all the previous ones I thank God for blessing Singapore and pray that He continually does so. I on my part will live 'one day at a time, for tomorrow may not be mine.'

A HAPPY NATIONAL DAY 2017 TO ALL SINGAPOREANS AT HOME AND ABROAD.

To read other postings by Ms CYLin, click her name under Labels below.

22 comments:

What a beautiful essay ! A true Singapore experience. Very well written. Congratulations Ms Lin. I remember the playing marbles part and the flying or chasing kites and how about a game of rounders; all right in the Katong neighborhood. Oh ! don't forget badminton too. Fort Canning (especially the wall of history) and the Botanical Gardens are still 2 of my favorite places to reminisce about Old Singapore. Happy National Day to all !!!

Professor Tommy Koh's recent article on Singapore's size, stature and influence among nations caused much reflection and comments on social media. I share the good Professor's pride of SG's world class achievements in many fields and caution for SG to always show humility, mutual respect and wisdom in relation with other countries.

Having experienced and lived through the birth of SG as an independent nation since separation from Malaysia I think we are quite fortunate that SG has over the past few decades, survived pretty well and has progressively, continually built a safe and harmonious community where people of different religious and ethnic back grounds can live peacefully.

Going forward there will always be ups and downs, good times and bad as local leadership changes amid the turbulence of global unpredictability. As we celebrate SG's 52nd National Day, I hope it will continue to survive well every year to reach SG60 and maybe70...

Finally, can we have some really talented song writers to compose some really great national days songs that are simple, folksy and catchy without being heavily loaded with motherhood statements??

So far HOME quite fits the bill.

Andy maybe you and some talented music people of yesteryear can do something?

I have to mention: Singapore, only 52 years old? Even we are older. The word GOD in her article. What He created is not counted and included? His creation called the Universe and that includes our world and our tiny island.

What about our previous leaders before them: The British? Their decades of running Singapore not included in the number of years? Reminder, good or bad, if not for them bringing in the various other races here to help run our island we won't be what we are today. They put in the nucleus to what is now our multi, multi-racial country.

Friends whatever your political inclination in SG, as we watch the NDay Parade on TV or at the Float now, let's reflect on how SG has come along so far. Of course, there is still a lot more than the country can learn from others and improve upon. As long as we can see the effort being made by the power that is to make SG better yearly there is hope for this little Red Dot to continue to shine.😀

Finally great responses for CY Lin !That should inspire her to write more for Andy's blog. Ha !Well, let me add further of what I like about CY Lin essay on Singapore for someone who had left home over 50 years ago.Her introduction to life growing up in Singapore had touched home for me. The games we played as a kid and the walk on Katong Beach and the Botanical Gardens were our exercises. We had our share of renting a room for a family of 6 and I am sure there are many in Singapore who had similar experiences. Singapore has developed into a beautiful and modern country although more can be done to preserve old Singapore and its natural habitats. However I would like to add that the New Singapore is the result from the basic foundation laid by the British and that its development are from the energy of its people: the Chinese, Indian and other Immigrants and not forgetting the Eurasians and the Malays.Without dwelling too much into politics, these were all possible because of the political stability in Singapore. However, Singapore had traded political stability for freedom and it will take years and probably generations for Singapore to enjoy full Democracy. In the meantime, what is important is that many in Singapore are happy and thankful for the new life in Singapore. Enjoying full Democracy is not missed because many do not know what it means and probably do not care or want to know. Sorry for the last remark ! "Mari kita rakyat Singapura....Cita-cita kita yang mulia" words I still remember from school :)

How do I contact CY Lin? I am co-writing a book about the mansion with the attap roof that used to be located at 1 Paterson Hill Road with one of the late Dr. Lim Boon Keng's descendants. He recalls many of the things CY Lin has included in her blog about Lim Boon Keng's kampong. Would be thrilled to get in touch with her. my email is plin123@gmail.com. Thank you.

I love John Keats' (1795-1821) To Hope, from his collection of poems under, Keats: Truth and Imagination. It's a book from my home library. He was well-known for poems like The Eve of St. Agnes, Ode To A Grecian Urn and others. He died at the very young age of 25. The hymn, Whispering Hope, another favourite of mine, was playing on YouTube and I was listening to the Haley Westenra's rendition. It was one of a number of songs composed by Septimus Winner (1827-1902). Jim Reeves made it famous in 1958. CLICK PIX

ANDY YOUNG

SCROLL DATES FOR ARCHIVES

KEY IN SEARCH TOPIC

TRANSLATE LANGUAGE INTO:

JOHNNY HALLYDAY RIP 1943-2017.

He was one of the top stars in the 60's, followed Elvis' style and sang rockabilly numbers. He started off right and like so many singers then, followed The King impact. But what I like about Hallyday, as he grew in his own image, with his powerful voice, muscle-flexed stature, he became an original French rock star, not a rock-n-roll star. And he was outstanding - a man of his own before he died. CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS WITH THE STYLERS 60's

Check out this home party where neighbours visit each other for a dance session with Singapore's most recorded band, The Stylers. Click Pix To Read

1985 VINYL RECORDING WONDERFUL ENCOUNTER: HE'S THE ONE

A group of late 60s and 70s Singapore musicians got together and recorded on Polygram ten songs in praise of God. It was, according to the sleeve back-cover, "a Gospel music adventure to spread His Word through a variety of popular music rhythms." CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS SHOW REHEARSAL AT OCEAN PARK HOTEL 1960'S WITH WILMA TANG

We had our own well-known female vocalists too. I shared the same stage with WILMA TANG (image taken off a dance-ball magazine) when she sang at a charity dinner in the 60s. She was a hit those days as a professional singer and appeared regularly at the Ocean Park night club at East Coast Road, Singapore. CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS TIME IS CHRIST TIME

A Passage from the Bible about why we celebrate Christmas. So read it carefully. CLICK PIX TO READ

7 - 10 PM. REMEMBER, REMEMBER 23RD DECEMBER

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US. The concert, THE SILVER STRINGS with 4 other bands, will surprise and entertain both the older and younger generation as there is no better way to relive the local music scene! CLICK PIX TO READ.

AUSSIE 60'S POPS CHECK OUT

Steve wanted to interview some band boys so I managed the help of Mr Michael Bangar (professional guitarist playing rhythm for Silver Strings) to speak to him. We had our first session and a few days later, a larger group came. Steve brought with him some vinyl records. I list the artistes and songs covered on both Side A and B. All artistes were from Australia: CLICK PIX

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Catch them: CLICK PURPLE ABOVE

COME ON BOARD

2,600 VIEWS+ LOCOMOTION: TAKE A RIDE WITH THEM. (THIS POSTING IS A READERS' RECORD HIGH)

Charlie Yap is a kind gentleman who, like a few friends, sends me WhatsApp posters and videos. Although he plays bass, I never realised he is the present band leader of this popular local group that is currently active in our clubs. When I asked him if he could tell me about his band, he willingly obliged. CLICK PIX TO READ

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